Using the Victoria Real Estate Market Stats can be useful in establishing trends when applied over a period of time. Keep in mind that this information does not indicate the actual value of any particular property.

Real Estate Market Experiences a Burst of Activity

December 1, 2017

A total of 671 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this November, 12 per cent more than the 599 properties sold in November last year.

“We suggested last month that some buyers may accelerate their purchase timeline to buy a new home in anticipation of the mortgage stress test on uninsured buyers – those with a down payment of 20 per cent or more – that will come into effect on January 1,” says Victoria Real Estate Board President Ara Balabanian. “Judging by the sales we saw in November and what I have heard from our REALTOR® members, some buyers have indeed accelerated their purchasing plans to avoid the stress test. This may change the numbers we see in the early months of 2018, as some buyers who had planned to buy next year have bought a bit earlier.”

There were 1,764 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of November 2017, a decrease of 7.4 per cent compared to the month of October and 2.8 per cent fewer than the 1,815 active listings for sale at the end of November 2016. – VREB

Data source: VREB.org

About the Victoria Real Estate Board – Founded in 1921, the Victoria Real Estate Board is a key player in the development of standards and innovative programs to enhance the professionalism of Realtors. The Victoria Real Estate Board represents 1,375 local Realtors. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, connect with your local Realtor for detailed information on the Victoria and area housing market.

Located on beautiful Vancouver Island, Victoria experiences an active market in 2016 and continues to remans a popular destination for home buyers. Victoria housing market review and forecast predicts factors for home buyers looking to move to Victoria include: mild climate, housing prices over metro locations like Victoria’s neighbour Vancouver, and lifestyle.

Victoria housing market review 2016

Market conditions have continued to favour sellers with any listings under $650,000 receiving multiple offers. There is approximately three months of inventory on the market across all property types. Number of sales for all residential properties between January and October grew by 18 per cent, up from 8,206 in 2015 to 9,719 in 2016.

Average residential sales

Sales were brisk across all property types and the average residential sale price rose from $518,153 to $580,961 in Victoria in 2016, a 12 per cent increase. Price appreciation in Vancouver led to many owners selling their properties in the Lower Mainland and looking for more affordable options in Victoria. Buyers from Alberta are also key players in B.C.’s capital city.

The market slowed slightly in October, in part due to uncertainty around the U.S. election. Victoria’s housing market is expected to remain strong in 2017, but is not expected to experience the same level of activity that was seen in 2016.

Victoria Housing Market Outlook 2017

Future trends

Infrastructure projects such as the Site C hydroelectric dam and recently approved LNG project is expected to lead to growth throughout B.C.

Victoria is expected to see an increase in American buyers following the U.S. election in November

The RE/MAX 2017 average residential sale price expectation for Victoria is an increase of approximately 2 per cent

First-time home buyers

First-time buyers are active in Victoria’s housing market and have looked to take advantage of low-interest rates in recent years. Many of the new condo projects in development are smaller units, under 1,000 square feet, and are geared toward single and entry level buyers. The new mortgage rate rules are expected to soften the rst-time buyer segment of the market in 2017.

Victoria condo market

Sales for condos in Victoria increased 45 per cent year-over-year in 2016. Demand is primarily driven by first-time buyers who look for properties between $300,000 to $400,000 and retirees looking for properties in the $600,000-$700,000 range. The average sale price for condos increased slightly from $326,581 in 2015 to $353,275 in 2016. A steady supply of new product is expected to maintain the current activity and average prices in Victoria’s market.

Luxury homes in Victoria

Demand for upper-end properties has remained strong, particularly for single-family detached homes in the $1 million to $3 million range. Luxury buyers are often foreign investors from the U.S. or retirees looking to purchase upscale condos or houses on the coast, in some cases as a secondary residence.